Rajeev Gopalakrishnan

Mr Rajeev Gopalakrishnan, Managing Director, holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kerala. He joined Bata Shoe Organisation (BSO) in 1990. With rich experience of 29 years he has previously handled the positions of Director – Wholesale Channels, Sales & Marketing with Bata International – Canada, and as the Vice President of Bata India Limited in Retail Operations and Wholesale Division. Before joining as the Managing Director of Bata India Limited in October 2011, Mr Gopalakrishnan was the Managing Director of Bata Retail Stores for nine months. He was previously the Managing Director of Bata Bangladesh for one year, and the Managing Director of Bata Thailand for three years.

He has attended various courses and advanced programmes of BSO, viz., Course Leader Advanco 2009 (India/China), Advanco 2006 in Singapore, Advance Retailing Courses, Executive Management Programme in 2009, Sprint 1997 (Retail Course), and Retailco 1996 in India. He has also attended a programme in IMD, Switzerland on Leadership and Sustainable Business Growth.

With his visionary leadership, Mr Gopalakrishnan spearheaded Bata India’s retail operations, re-engineered business processes and diversified product offerings while maintaining a strong innovative outlook culture. A self-driven professional, he has taken Bata India on a high growth trajectory. Given his strategic bent of mind and ability to pinpoint opportunities, he has articulated a vision to make Bata India the most admired name in the branded footwear and accessories sector.

His contribution to the industry has been acknowledged at several renowned platforms. He was conferred with the ‘Udyog Ratna Award’ and the ‘Certificate of Excellence and Gold Medal’ by The Institute of Economic Studies in 2014. He was recognized as the ‘Retail Professional of the Year’ in CMO Asia Summit at the 2015 Asia Retail Conference and received the prestigious ‘EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2015’ (Finalist Award). In 2017, the World Consulting & Research Corporation bestowed him with the honour of ‘India’s Most Trusted CEO’.